Description
Book SynopsisThis is the first book to focus primarily on George Orwell's ideas about free speech and related matters freedom of the press, the writer's freedom of expression, honesty and truthfulness and, in particular, the ways in which they are linked to his political vision of socialism. Orwell is today claimed by the Left and Right, by neo-conservatives and neo-socialists. How is that possible? Part of the answer, as Glenn Burgess reveals, is that Orwell was an odd sort of socialist. The development of Orwell's socialism was, from the start, conditioned by his individualist and liberal commitments. The hopes he attached to socialism were for a fairer, more equal world that would permit human freedom and individuality to flourish, completing, not destroying, the work of liberalism. Freedom of thought was a central part of this, and its defence and use were essential parts of the struggle to ensure that socialism developed in a liberal, humane form that did not follow the totalitarian path of
Trade ReviewGlenn Burgess has written with great perception about how intensely Orwell valued free speech and how determined he was to defend it. This study makes us vividly aware of aspects of Orwell, particularly his activism, that have been hitherto comparatively neglected. It will be read with great interest by the many who wish to know more about and understand better a writer whose impact has continued to grow over the years. * Peter Stansky, Professor Emeritus of History, Stanford University, USA, and author of The Socialist Patriot: George Orwell and War *
Glenn Burgess synthesizes a massive number of primary and secondary texts and constructs an original and clear argument around them on a vitally important area – namely Orwell’s ideas about socialism, free speech, freedom of thought, press freedom and censorship. It amounts to an important and fascinating addition to Orwellian scholarship. * Richard Lance Keeble, Professor of Journalism, University of Lincoln, UK *
Table of ContentsPrologue: ‘Ownlife, it was called, meaning individualism and eccentricity’ 1. Orwell and the Culture Wars 2. How to Be Yourself (or Not): Orwell’s Early Novels 3. The Expression on a Human Face 4. Individualism, Liberty, Socialism
Part I: Orwell’s Socialism 1.. Before Orwell; Before Socialism: A Tory Anarchist? 2. The Birth of George Orwell’s Socialism 3. The Development of Orwell’s Socialism (a). Peace, Empire and Internationalism (b). Revolution and Political Violence (c). Nostalgia, Progress, and Utopia
Part II: Orwell and Freedom of Thought 1. From Eric Blair to George Orwell: Englishness and Freedom 2. Libel, Obscenity and Politics: Orwell’s Early Experience of Censorship 3. ‘All Propaganda is Lies’: Orwell, BBC Propaganda and Intellectual Responsibility 4. Writing for Freedom:
Tribune,
Animal Farm and Free Speech 5. Activist for Intellectual Freedom: (I) The Freedom Defence Committee 6. Activist for Intellectual Freedom: (II) The League for the Dignity and Rights of Man 7. Propaganda Again: Orwell, His List and the Information Research Department (IRD) 8. Freedom and Truth:
Nineteen Eighty-Four Index
